Hockey Stick-Handling Device with Sensor and Effects

ABSTRACT

A hockey stick-handling device comprises cross members and support columns. The support columns elevate the cross members from a training surface to allow an object for stick-handling to be passed underneath. The cross members are rotatable with respect to one another to allow the hockey stick-handling device to be arranged in various configurations for stick-handling as well as to be collapsed for storage. The hockey stick-handling device is modular in nature such that it can be lengthened or shortened to a desired length. The hockey stick-handling device has sensors adapted to sense an object passing under the cross member. The sensor output may drive controls for illuminating lights, sounding horns, and/or actuating timers associated with the stick-handling device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.12/059,287, filed Mar. 31, 2008, now pending, which claims the benefitof provisional application Ser. No. 60/921,736, filed Apr. 4, 2007, bothdisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The disclosed embodiments generally relate to a hockey training aid.More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to a system andmethod for providing a hockey stick-handling device that is capable ofmultiple configurations and may be expanded and collapsed withoutrepeated assembly, and includes sensors for timing and illumination.

A key skill in the sport of hockey is stick-handling. As a result,hockey players of all ages consistently strive to improve theirstick-handling abilities, often through drills that utilize trainingaids. In most applications, it is desirable that the stick-handlingtraining aid be durable, portable, easy to assemble, and adaptable todifferent drills, players, and surfaces.

Prior art stick-handling training aids present significant disadvantagesfor their users. Some training aids, such as the SweetHands HockeyTrainer produced by Sweet Hockey Products, L.L.C., are portable andcapable of being expanded. However, the SweetHands device is capable ofonly one configuration (a straight line) and requires a multi-steptake-down and reassembly process following each use of the device.

Thus, a need has long existed for an improved hockey stick-handlingtraining aid that is capable of multiple configurations and may beexpanded and collapsed without repeated assembly. The disclosedembodiments overcome the problems associated with prior art hockeystick-handling training aids by providing a versatile and convenienthockey stick-handling device that is durable, easy to assemble, andadaptable to a variety of drills, players, and surfaces.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

As described and claimed in the parent application, the hockeystick-handling device includes cross members and support columns whereinthe support columns elevate the cross members from a training surface toallow an object for stick-handling to be passed underneath. The crossmembers are rotatable with respect to one another to allow the hockeystick-handling device to be arranged in various configurations forstick-handling as well as to be collapsed for storage. The hockeystick-handling device is modular in nature such that it can belengthened or shortened to a desired length. As disclosed and claimedherein, the utility of the stick-handling device has been improved byproviding sensors and lights for illumination to assist the trainee intraining and developing stick handling skills.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in anexpanded, zig-zag configuration;

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an upper cross member of thestick-handling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a lower cross member of the stickhandling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an upper support disc of the stickhandling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 illustrates a plan view of a lower support disc of the stickhandling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of a hockey stick-handling devicesegment;

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling deviceportion;

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of the process of using a hockeystick-handling;

FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in acollapsed/storage configuration;

FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in anexpanded, straight-line configuration;

FIG. 11 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in anexpanded, arcuate configuration;

FIG. 12 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device in anexpanded, arcuate configuration with lights and sensors; and

FIG. 13 illustrates further detail of a link of the hockeystick-handling device of FIG. 12, comprising support columns and a crossmember with a sensor and light associated therewith.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the disclosure, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustration, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It shouldbe understood, however, that the embodiments are not limited to thearrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device 100 andincludes a plurality of upper cross members 110, a plurality of lowercross members 120, a plurality of rotatable connecting points 130, aplurality of intermediary support columns 140, and two terminal supportcolumns 150, one at each end of the device 100. In operation, thesupport columns 140 and 150 support the cross members 110 and 120 suchthat the cross members 110 and 120 are elevated from a training surfaceby a height sufficient to allow an object for stick-handling (such as ahockey puck or ball) to pass underneath them. When a plurality of crossmembers 110 and 120 and support columns 140 and 150 are connected inseries, as shown in FIG. 1, an expandable hockey stick-handling device100 is formed. One cross member 110,120 and its associated supportcolumns 140, 150 may be referred to as a link. The hockey stick-handlingdevice 100 is modular such that it may be configured to a desired lengthby increasing or decreasing the number of cross members 110 and 120 andintermediary support columns 140.

A first end of the upper cross member 110 is connected to a second endof the lower cross member 120 at rotatable connecting point 130. Forexample, a screw bolt may be passed through an opening in the first endof the upper cross member 110 and through an opening in the second endof the lower cross member 120. By doing so, the screw bolt connects theupper cross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 at rotatableconnecting point 130 and creates a pivot around which the upper crossmember 110 may be rotated in relation to the lower cross member 120. Therotatable connecting points 130 are located above the intermediarysupport columns 140 only. There are no connecting points 130 above theterminal support columns 150.

The rotatable connecting points 130 allow the hockey stick-handlingdevice 100 to be positioned to form a variety of working configurationsor shapes, such as a zigzag configuration as shown in FIG. 1, a straightline configuration as shown in FIG. 10, and a curved configuration asshown in FIG. 11. Additionally, the rotatable connecting points 130allow the hockey stick-handling device 100 to form a stowedconfiguration in which the cross members 110 and 120 are arrangedsubstantially parallel to one another as shown in FIG. 9.

As explained further below, the shape of the hockey stick-handlingdevice 100 can be adjusted by loosening the stop nut 540 of FIG. 5 androtating the cross members 110 and 120 in relation to one another to adesired configuration and subsequently retightening the stop nut 540. Inalternative embodiments, the upper cross member 110 and the lower crossmember 120 may be connected at rotatable connecting point 130 in avariety of ways. For example, the screw bolt used to connect the uppercross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 may be replaced by anunthreaded rod. In alternative embodiments, the upper cross member 110and the lower cross member 120 may be connected with a hinge or abearing at rotatable connecting point 130. In alternative embodiments,the upper cross member 110 of the hockey stick-handling device 100 maybe configured to lock into one or more desired positions in relation tothe lower cross member 120. For example, the upper cross member 110 maybe locked into position at any of 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 60 degrees, 90degrees, and 180 degrees in relation to the lengthwise direction of thelower cross member 120. This locking functionality may be accomplishedby a variety of mechanisms or hardware, such as removable pins. Thesupport columns 140 and 150 are not required to be cylinder-shaped. Forexample, alternative embodiments may employ cube-shaped support columns.

In alternative embodiments, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may bemade from a variety of different materials. For example, the crossmembers 110 and 120 and the support columns 140 and 150 may be createdfrom high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinatedpolyvinyl chloride (CPVC), acrylic, plastic, wood, or compositematerial. Additionally, hardware such as screw bolts or hinges used forrotatable connecting point 130 may be made from stainless steel or othermetals, wood, plastic, or composite material.

FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view of an upper cross member 110 thatincludes a first end 210, a first washer 220, a first screw bolt 230, asecond end 250, a second washer 260, and a second screw bolt 270. Inoperation, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the first washer220 and an opening in the first end 210 of the upper cross member 110.The second screw bolt 270 is passed through the second washer 260 and anopening in the second end 250 of the upper cross member 110. Asdescribed below with regard to FIG. 3, the first screw bolt 230 and thesecond screw bolt 270 are subsequently passed through openings in othercross members of the hockey stick-handling device 100 of FIG. 1. Thealternative material compositions and connection mechanisms describedabove with regard to FIG. 1 also apply to the embodiments illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view of a lower cross member 120 and includesa first end 310, a first opening 340, a second end 350, and a secondopening 380. In operation, as described above with regard to FIG. 1, thelower cross member 120 may be connected to the upper cross member 110 ofFIG. 2. To create such a connection, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2is first passed through the first washer 220 of FIG. 2 and an opening atthe first end 210 of the upper cross member 110. Next, the first screwbolt 230 is passed through the second opening 380 at the second end 350of the lower cross member 120. Configuring the first screw bolt 230 inthis fashion creates the rotatable connecting point 130 of FIG. 1.

If desired, an additional connection may be made between the lower crossmember 120 and another upper cross member 110. To create this secondconnection, the second screw bolt 270 of the other upper cross member110 is first passed through the second washer 260 and an opening at thesecond end 250 of the other upper cross member 110. Next, the secondscrew bolt 270 of the other upper cross member 110 is passed through thefirst opening 340 at the first end 310 of the lower cross member 120. Inthis fashion, additional connections between upper cross members 110 andlower cross members 120 may be made as desired. The alternative materialcompositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard toFIGS. 1-2 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3.Additionally, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be configuredsuch that there are no designated upper cross members 110 or lower crossmembers 120. More specifically, the hockey stick-handling device 100 maybe configured such that, at one end, a given cross member is the firstcross member to receive the bolt, and at the second end, that same crossmember is connected below the first cross member to receive the bolt.Effectively, in this configuration, each cross member functions as anupper cross member at one end and a lower cross member at the other end.

FIG. 4 illustrates a plan view of an upper support disc 400 that formsan upper portion of the support columns 140 and 150 of FIG. 1 in someembodiments disclosed herein. The upper support disc 400 includes asupport opening 410. In operation, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2 isfirst passed through the upper cross member 110 and the lower crossmember 120 as described above with regard to FIGS. 1-3. After this hasoccurred, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the support opening410 of the upper support disc 410. The upper support disc 400 may alsocomprise a non-circular shape, such as a cube. The alternative materialcompositions and connection mechanisms described above with regard toFIGS. 1-3 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4. FIG. 5illustrates a plan view of a lower support disc 500 that forms a lowerportion of the support columns 140 and 150 of FIG. 1 in some embodimentsdisclosed herein. The lower support disc 500 includes a washer 530 and astop nut 540.

In operation, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2 is passed through anopening in the lower support disc 500 after the first screw bolt 230 ispassed through the upper support disc 400 as described above with regardto FIG. 4. The first screw bolt 230 is then passed through the washer530. To secure the connection at the rotatable connecting point 130 ofFIG. 1, the stop nut 540 is threaded onto the first screw bolt 230. In apreferred embodiment, the lower support disc 500 includes a recess atits bottom end. This recess prevents the first screw bolt 230, thewasher 530, and the stop nut 540 from extending beyond the bottom edgeof the lower support disc 500. This recess is described in furtherdetail below with regard to FIG. 6.

In alternative embodiments, the lower support disc 500 may be configuredin a variety of ways. For example, the lower support disc 500 mayinclude a textured surface on at least one end in order to increasefriction between the lower support disc and the surface upon which thehockey stick-handling device 100 is set. To accomplish this sameobjective, a spike, end cap, or other gripping feature may be added toone end of the lower support disc 500. In alternative embodiments, thebottom end of the lower support disc 500 may not include a recess. Thelower support disc 500 may also comprise a non-circular shape, such as acube.

In alternative embodiments, the upper support disc 400 may be removedfrom the hockey stick-handling device 100. In this configuration, thelower support disc 500 directly contacts the lower cross member 120 ofFIG. 3. Additionally, the alternative material compositions andconnection mechanisms described above with regard to FIGS. 1-4 alsoapply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates an elevational view of a hockey stick-handling devicesegment 600 that includes the upper cross member 110 of FIG. 2, thefirst end 210 of FIG. 2, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG. 2, the secondend 250 of FIG. 2, and the second screw bolt 270 of FIG. 2. The devicesegment 600 also includes the lower cross member 120 of FIG. 3, a secondlower cross member 121, the upper support disc 400 of FIG. 4, a secondupper support disc 401, the lower support disc 500 of FIG. 5, a secondlower support disc 501, the washer 530 of FIG. 5, a second washer 531,the stop nut 540 of FIG. 5, and a second stop nut 541. Additionally, thedevice segment 600 further includes a first upper recess 610, a secondupper recess 611, a first spacer 620, a second spacer 621, a first lowerrecess 630, and a second lower recess 631.

The upper cross member 110 is connected to the lower cross member 120and the second lower cross member 121. At the first end 210 of the uppercross member 110, the first screw bolt 230 is first passed through anopening located in the first upper recess 610. Next, the first screwbolt 230 is passed through the first spacer 620, the lower cross member120, the upper support disc 400, the lower support disc 500, and thewasher 530, as shown in FIG. 6. Finally, the stop nut 540 is threadedonto the end of the first screw bolt 230, such that the stop nut 540 andthe end of the first screw bolt 230 are within the first lower recess630. At the second end 250 of the upper cross member 110, the secondscrew bolt 270 is first passed through an opening located in the secondupper recess 611. Next, the second screw bolt 270 is passed through thesecond spacer 621, the second lower cross member 121, the second uppersupport disc 401, the second lower support disc 501, and the secondwasher 531, as shown in FIG. 6. Finally, the second stop nut 541 isthreaded onto the end of the second screw bolt 270, such that the secondstop nut 541 and the end of the second screw bolt 270 are within thesecond lower recess 631. As described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and9-11, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may be positioned to form avariety of shapes or configurations. To adjust the shape of the hockeystick-handling device 100, the stop nut 540 may be loosened by theassembler and tightened again after the assembler has moved the uppercross member 110 and the lower cross member 120 to the desired position.

At both ends of the hockey stick-handling device 100, this constructionis slightly modified. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the outermost crossmembers are lower cross members 120. The terminal support columns 150 donot support an upper cross member 110. Accordingly, shorter screwbolts—than the previously described screw bolts 230 and 270—are employedthrough the terminal support columns 150 at the ends of the hockeystick-handling device 100.

In alternative embodiments, the outermost cross members may be uppercross members 110. In such a configuration, the terminal support columns150 may include additional or thicker spacers—than the previouslydescribed spacers 620 and 621 of FIG. 6—in order to maintain theoutermost upper cross members 110 parallel to the ground. In alternativeembodiments, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may include an uppercross member 110 as the outermost cross member at one end and a lowercross member 120 as the other outermost cross member at the other end.

In alternative embodiments, modifications to the device segment 600 maybe made. For example, the first and second spacer 620 and 621 of FIG. 6may be removed. Additionally the first and second upper recesses 610 and611 of FIG. 6 may be removed. In alternative embodiments, the firstwasher 530 and the second washer 531 of FIG. 6 may be removed. Moreover,the alternative configurations described above with regard to FIGS. 1-5also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view of a hockey stick-handling device portion700 that includes the intermediary support column 140 of FIG. 1, asecond intermediary support column 141, the upper cross member 110 ofFIG. 2, the first washer 220 of FIG. 2, the first screw bolt 230 of FIG.2, the second washer 260 of FIG. 2, the second screw bolt 270 of FIG. 2,the lower cross member 120 of FIG. 3, and the second lower cross member121 of FIG. 6.

In operation, the first screw bolt 230 is passed through the firstwasher 220 and an opening in the upper cross member 110. The first screwbolt 230 is then passed through the lower cross member 120 and theintermediary support column 140. The second screw bolt 270 is passedthrough the second washer 260 and another opening in the upper crossmember 110. The second screw bolt 270 is then passed through the secondlower cross member 121 and the second intermediary support column 141.As described above with regard to FIG. 1, the configuration of the firstscrew bolt 230 forms the rotatable connecting point 130 of FIG. 1, andthe configuration of the second screw bolt 270 forms a similar rotatableconnecting point. The alternative configurations described above withregard to FIGS. 1-6 also apply to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of the process of using the hockeystick-handling device 100 of FIG. 1. First, at step 800, the userselects the hockey stick-handling device 100 of a desired length. (Asmentioned above, the length of the hockey stick-handling device 100 maybe modified by increasing or decreasing the number of cross members 110and 120 and intermediary support columns 140.) Next, at step 810, thehockey stick-handling device 100 is positioned into a desired shape. Atstep 820, the hockey stick-handling device 100 is placed on a desiredtraining surface. Then, at step 830, an object, such as a hockey puck ora ball, is stick-handled through the spaces created by the hockeystick-handling device 100 structure. Finally, at step 840, the hockeystick-handling device 100 is collapsed for storage until its next use.

Potential training surfaces upon which the hockey stick-handling device100 may be used include ice and hard dryland surfaces, such as anasphalt surface or the floor of an athletic court. If the hockeystick-handling device 100 is used on ice for ice hockey training, thepreferred object for stick-handling is an ice hockey puck. If the hockeystick-handling device 100 is used on a hard dryland surface, thepreferred object for stick-handling is a ball.

Additionally, the degree of elevation of the cross members above thetraining surface can be adjusted to allow objects of different heightsto pass underneath them when being stick-handled. This can beaccomplished by using spacers and/or support discs of varyingthicknesses and in varying quantities (depending on the height of theobject to be stick-handled and the amount of clearance desired).

In alternative embodiments, the steps comprising the process of usingthe hockey stick-handling device 100 may be combined, separated orreordered in ways that do not affect the overall process. For example,the step 810 of placing the hockey stick-handling device 100 on adesired surface may be performed before the step 800 of positioning thehockey stick-handling device 100 into a desired shape. As anotherexample, the step 830 of collapsing the hockey stick-handling device 100for storage until its next use is unnecessary and may be omitted if theuser wishes to keep the hockey stick-handling device 100 in the sameconfiguration or on the same surface until the hockey stick-handlingdevice 100 is next used. Additionally, the hockey stick-handling device100 may be used in conjunction with other objects besides pucks or ballsthat may be stick-handled through the spaces created by the hockeystick-handling device 100.

In alternative embodiments, the hockey stick-handling device 100 may becollapsed without the user having to loosen or tighten the stop nut 540.Instead, the collapsing mechanism may be, for example, a hinge or asystem of removable pins. Additionally, the alternative configurationsdescribed above with regard to FIGS. 1-7 also apply to the processillustrated in FIG. 8. The alternative material compositions andconnection mechanisms described above with regard to FIGS. 1-7 alsoapply to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9-11.

FIG. 12 shows a top view of a hockey stick-handling device 100 withlights 900 and sensors 902 associated with each link 904 in the seriesof connected cross members and support columns. FIG. 13 shows additionaldetail associated with a single link. It should be appreciated that oneor more links of the stick-handling device may have the configurationshown in FIG. 13, and that a sensor or light may be omitted from anylink as may be desired. The sensor 902 associated with each link 904senses when an object such as a hockey puck passes under the crossmember (i.e., upper cross member 110 or lower cross member 120). Thesensor 902 may comprise a transmitter portion 906 mounted adjacent tothe support column 140 adjacent to one end of the cross member 110 and areceiver portion 908 mounted adjacent to the other support column 150adjacent to the other end of the cross member. The transmitter andreceiver portions 906,908 may comprise the upper support disks 400, 401or the lower support disks 500,501, or may be disposed between the uppersupport disks and lower support disks. The transmitter and receiverportions may also be mounted to the support disks 400,401,500,501 ormounted to the screw bolts 230,270. The sensor associated with each linkmay also be mounted on an underside of a cross member. The sensors maybe individually powered, for instance, individually battery operated, orthe sensors may be powered together as a group via a common power source920.

Lights 900 and other effects (including, for example, a centrallylocated horn or buzzer 922) may also be operatively connected to thesensors 902 to produce an effect. The lights 900 and other effectsassociated with each link may be mounted in an area adjacent the supportcolumn and/or the cross member. Preferably, the lights are mounted insuch a way to be readily visible to the user of the stick handlingdevice, and may comprise LEDs or bulbs protected in a plastictranslucent casing. The lights and/or other effects may be individuallypowered, for instance, individually battery operated, or the lights maybe powered together as a group via a common power source 920.

A control 930 may be also operatively connected to the lights 900,sensors 902 and/or effects 922 to generate output commands based upon anobject passing under the cross member. For instance, in response to anobject passing under the cross member, the control 930 may generate anoutput command to illuminate the light associated with a link in theseries. The control may also have programming to determine a time lapsefrom when an object passes under the cross member of the first link inthe series to when the object passes under the cross member of the lastlink in the series, or any other link in the series. As a furtherexample, the control may generate an output command to illuminate astart light 932 and/or an end or finish light 934. The start lightand/or end light may be separate lights or the light associated with thefirst and last link in the series, respectively. The control maygenerate an output command to sound the horn or buzzer 922 when theobject passes under the last link in the series. Preferably, the horn orbuzzer is mounted in a convenient place to reduce wire runs, although itmay be provided on a link. The control may also drive a display 936 thatdisplays the time lapse between the object passing under the first linkof the series and the object passing under the last link in the series,or any other link in the series. The control may have an outputinterface adapted to transmit signals representative of the time lapseto a remote device wirelessly, or through a hardwired connection or viaa network. As a further example, in response to an object passing underthe cross member of a link of the series, the control may generate anoutput command to illuminate a next successive light in the series, forinstance, a cross member mounted light or a light mounted adjacent asupport column, to guide the participant in a path through the drill.The control may also work independently from the sensors and generateoutput commands to illuminate the lights of the links in successionalong the stick-handling device to guide the user through a drillwithout regard to whether the user was successful in stick-handling theobject under the cross member. The control may be provided with a modeswitch 938 to allow the user to switch between any of the aforementionedmodes of operation, including using the sensors only without lights. Thedisplay 936 may display menu options though actuation of the mode switch938 to facilitate selection and operation of the device. The control 930may be provided locally on a cross member or support column, or anon-functioning cross member 940 as shown, or the control may becentrally located receiving inputs from the link-based sensors throughhard-wired connections or wirelessly.

Depending upon the location and mounting method used for the sensor,lights, effects, and control, wires associated with the sensors, lightsand control are preferably directed through channels and conduits formedin the cross members or support columns. For instance, with the sensortransmitter and receiver mounted in position on the support columns viathe screw bolts, wires for the sensor may be directed through thesupport openings 410 of the support disks. Wiring for the sensors,lights, effects, or control may also pass under, over, or throughinternal channels formed in, the cross member(s). The wiring associatedwith each link may have a plug/connector to allow connection anddisconnection of wiring as necessary when links are added or removedfrom the stick-handling device. The power supply 920 may be provided tosupply power to the control, lights, effects, and sensors, and may belocated with the control as shown, or located on a cross member orsupport column, or a remotely via a hard-wired connection.

As described herein, the disclosed embodiments offer valuable solutionsto the problems associated with traditional hockey stick-handlingtraining aids. The disclosed embodiments meet the long-felt need for animproved hockey stick-handling training aid that is capable of multipleconfigurations and may be easily expanded and collapsed without repeatedassembly. The disclosed embodiments provide a versatile and convenienthockey stick-handling device that is durable, easy to assemble, andadaptable to a variety of drills, players, and surfaces.

While particular elements, embodiments and applications have been shownand described, it is understood that the disclosed embodiment are not solimited as modifications may be made by those skilled in the art,particularly in light of the foregoing teaching. It is thereforecontemplated by the appended claims to cover such modifications andincorporate those features which come within the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. A hockey stick-handling device, comprising: two cross members, eachof said cross members configured to be elevated from a training surfaceby a height sufficient to allow an object for stick-handling to passunderneath said cross member; three support columns, each of saidsupport columns configured to support an end of one of said crossmembers, said cross members being rotatable with respect to one anotherat one of said three support columns; and a sensor adapted to sense anobject passing under the cross member.
 2. The hockey stick-handlingdevice of claim 1, further comprising a light operatively connected tothe sensor illuminating when an object passes under the cross member. 3.The hockey stick-handling device of claim 2, wherein said cross membersare rotatable to form a working configuration, said workingconfiguration being one of the group consisting of a straight-lineconfiguration, a curved configuration, and a zigzag configuration.
 4. Ahockey stick-handling device, comprising: a plurality of interconnectedlinks arranged in a series, each link comprising a cross membersupported by a support column at opposite ends of the cross member, thesupport columns positioning the cross member at a height sufficient toallow an object to pass underneath the cross member, each support columnallowing rotation of a cross member of each link relative to anothercross member of the next adjacent link, at least one of the links havinga sensor, the sensor being adapted to sense an object passing under thecross member of link and generate a signal indicative of an objectpassing under the cross member of the link.
 5. The hockey stick-handlingdevice of claim 4, further comprising a light associated with each link.6. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 5, further comprising acontrol operatively connected to the link sensor.
 7. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 6, wherein in response to an objectpassing under the cross member, the control generates an output commandto illuminate the light associated with the link.
 8. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 5, wherein the control has programming todetermine a time lapse from when an object passes under the cross memberof a first link in the series to when an object passes under the crossmember of a last link in the series.
 9. The hockey stick-handling deviceof claim 8, further comprising a start light associated with the firstlink in the series.
 10. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 9,wherein in response to an object passing under the cross memberassociated with the first link in the series, the control generates anoutput command to illuminate the start light.
 11. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 8, further comprising an end lightassociated with the last link in the series.
 12. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 11, wherein in response to an objectpassing under the cross member associated with the last link in theseries, the control generates an output command to illuminates the endlight.
 13. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 11, wherein inresponse to an object passing under the cross member associated with thelast link in the series, the control generates an output command tosound a horn.
 14. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 8, furthercomprising a display adapted to display the time lapse.
 15. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 4, wherein said cross members arerotatable to form a working configuration, said working configurationbeing one of the group consisting of a straight-line configuration, acurved configuration, and a zigzag configuration.
 16. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 8, wherein the control has an outputinterface adapted to transmit signals representative of the time lapseto a remote device.
 17. The hockey stick-handling device of claim 16,wherein the output interface transmits wirelessly.
 18. The hockeystick-handling device of claim 6, wherein in response to an objectpassing under the cross member of a link, the control generates anoutput command to illuminate a light of a next successive link in theseries.